Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency, a condition that affects 80 percent of the population in the world, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron deficiency can result in anemia, fatigue, decreased body temperature, reduction in work capacity, increased risk for infection and compromised cognitive function. Iron supplements can be used orally or by injection. The supplemental dosage depends on the severity of iron deficiency as well as your age, physical condition, and ability to tolerate the treatment.
Choosing Iron Supplements
The form of iron that your body can use is elemental iron. When choosing an iron supplement, read the supplement label for the amount of elemental iron contained in each tablet. Different forms of iron supplements contain different amounts of elemental iron. For example, ferrous fumarate has the highest amount of elemental iron, which constitutes 33 percent of the weight, based on the data from the National Institutes of Health. In general, ferrous iron salts like ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate contain higher percentages of elemental iron and are better absorbed, compared with ferric iron salts. Keep in mind though that higher elemental iron also tends to produce more side effects, such as stomach upset and constipation.
Dosage for Iron-deficient Adults
For non-pregnant adults with iron deficiency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron a day taken in divided doses. The CDC also recommends a follow-up in four weeks with blood tests such as hemoglobin and hematocrit to look for improvement of iron status. Hemoglobin and hematocrits are blood tests that measure the amount of the red blood cells, which require iron. One 200 mg tablet of ferrous fumarate or one 300 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate contains about 60 mg of elemental iron. According to the National Institutes of Health, two to three months of treatment can reverse anemia, but another six months are usually needed to restore the body iron stores. If you are anemic, check with your doctor for the amount and the length of the iron treatment.
Dosage for Iron-deficient Children
Children with iron deficiency are usually treated daily with 4 to 6 mg of elemental iron per kilogram of body weight. As with adults, the supplements should be taken in divided doses, says the National Institutes of Health. Be sure to check with your health care providers for the appropriate amount because children are more susceptible to iron toxicity. The Office of Dietary Supplement cautions that a dose of 200 mg iron can cause death in children.
Dosage for Other Conditions
Iron supplements may improve cognitive function such as learning and memory in children and adolescents with low iron status. For this purpose, the National Institutes of Health recommends 650 mg of ferrous sulfate taken twice daily. The hypertension drugs ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril, captopril and lisinopril, can cause coughing as a side-effect. Iron supplements may relieve the coughing, and the National Institutes of Health recommends 256 mg of ferrous sulfate a day for this purpose. Check with your doctor before starting iron supplements for these conditions.
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